Thyatira: A Loving Church with Compromised Beliefs

We looked at the letter to Ephesus a few weeks back, and it was a church with hot heads…that is, full of doctrine and truth, and they contended valiantly for pure doctrine…but their hearts were cold. They had lost love, what was to be the chief identifier of the church.

But, today’s church comes as a warning to those who would hum Beatles tunes all day…you know, “All you need is love…dunh-dunh-du-nuh-nuh.” The fact is, you need more. Thyatira was a church that Jesus commends for their growth in the faith, particularly their love and deeds. But, they’ve allowed a false teacher to lead many into open immorality through deceptive false teaching. They must repent lest severe judgment come.

Grow in the faith.

V.18

Concerning Son of God, see Ps.2:7-9. This is the only place in Revelation where that title is used, and it was probably meant to contrast with Apollo, the son of Zeus, who’s worship figured prominently in Thyatira. Concerning eyes like a flame, see Rev.1:14; Dan.10:6. It indicates divine insight and fierce judgment, especially against those who reject His rule (see Isa.66:15-16). Christ judges with a penetrating gaze, and in Daniel, the describe is made of the one who will bring judgment against pagan nations. Finally, feet…like burnished bronze recalls Rev.1:15 and Dan.10:6 as well. Again, feet often indicate direction, and the fact that they are burnished/polished shows that they are refined. Christ intends to lead His church in moral purity.

V.19

In contrast with Ephesus, who had lost the love it had at first, Thyatira is first identified by its love. This contrast is furthered by the fact that Jesus says their latter works exceed the ones that did at first. Do not miss the commendation this church receives.

They are loving, thereby fulfilling the chief commands (Matt.22:24-40). The believer’s chief characteristic should be love.

They have faith. Lacking faith makes it impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). If believers should be known by their love, their primary practice should be the exercise of faith!

They serve, looking out for the needs of others, similar to James’ description of “pure and undefiled” religion (Jms.1:27) and following the example of Christ when He washed the disciples’ feet (Jn.13).

They have patiently endured, a common command to the churches in Revelation. This is active faith even in hard times.

Finally, their latter works exceed their first. In other words, they’ve matured as believers, their deeds progressing in both quality and quantity.

Oh to have that testimony about our churches today, right? Growing in the faith? Maintaining the primary commands as chief among our concerns? To be known more for our love more than our petty arguments over tertiary matters? Listen, there’s a reason, and I’m thankful that we don’t suffer from it, but there’s a reason why the SBC in general has a reputation for their absurd business meetings…spending an hour and a half bickering over things like the color of the carpet. Oh that our reputation would shift to being known more for what we stand for…salvation by grace alone through faith alone, an steadfast partnership for sharing the gospel at home and around the world, embracing the orphan and the widow…than what we stand against (though we should vehemently stand against the evils in the world!)

Commit to truth and holiness.

V.20

However, the church has its struggles: they tolerate…Jezebel.

Tolerate goes beyond just allowing and almost certainly includes supporting.

There is a false prophetess called Jezebel.

The name is almost certainly used symbolically intending to call to mind the actual wife of Ahab in Israel’s past (1 Kgs.16:29-31). In 2 Kgs.9:22, Jezebel taught and embraced “whorings and sorceries.” Further, she fostered Canaanite worship practices in the northern kingdom Israel, supported the 450 prophets of Baal, and the 400 prophets of the goddess Ashram at her table (1 Kgs.18:19). She persecuted YHWH’s prophets, causing many to go into hiding, and even Elijah, after the confrontation with Baal’s prophets, did not take her murderous threats lightly.

The false prophetess in Thyatira’s midst very much embodied the Jezebel lifestyle, teaching and seducing God’s servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Sexual immorality involved performing sexual acts inconsistent with or forbidden by law. In essence, it involves any sexual activity outside of God’s design, something to be enjoyed within the confines of the husband and wife marriage relationship.

Eating food sacrificed to idols involves embracing pagan worship practices. As noted previously, these practices were often conducted by trade guilds, necessary for economic prosperity. The financial cost of breaking from these traditions is likely what kept many tied to their practices.

But, how could they so easily be lead astray? To help make sense of this, consider the fact that the early church often relied on prophetic proclamation as an essential gift. Further, women could prophesy.

Joel 2:28 ““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

1 Cor.11:5 “but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.”

Acts 21:9 “He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.”

The modern church has certainly felt the weight of the consequences of tolerance. For many, there is not much distinction between the church and the world, when there should be a true distinction…we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

V.21

The false prophetess has apparently been confronted already but refuses to turn from her practices. Bear in mind, these practices go beyond the mere acts she is committing. She stands as an example of spiritual harlotry. Similar language is used later in Revelation (Rev.18:23) as the harlot of Babylon does the same thing, showing the interconnectedness of their practices. This connection helps to illumine the universal nature of Revelation. There is an interesting contrast between v.20, 21. The word used for refuses means to “lack desire.” “Desire” can be used of sexual and erotic desire.

V.22

Christ will throw the false prophetess onto a sickbed. This is an action of judgment by Christ, and sickbed is a figure of speech that means she will become sick. Ex.21:18 is an example of someone being in bed sick and suffering physically. Those who have followed Jezebel are offered the same chance to repent. If they do not, they can expect to face severe distress (think famine, etc.). The great tribulation they will face shouldn’t be understood as the final eschatological, DOTL event, but a present or soon-coming struggle.

V.23

In 2 Kgs.9:7; 10:7, Ahab and Jezebel’s children were slain as part of God’s judgment. The idea is physical death as a consequence for failing to repent. The ECNT Commentar translates this verse as killing with a “deadly disease,” but the text word-for-word translates “kill in death. There is debate as to WHO the adulterers (vs.22) and her children are, but the point remains the same: if they fail to repent, they will face the judgment of God. Jesus here identifies Himself as the One who searches mind and heart. This parallels His opening description of having “eyes like a flame.” It points to the depth of His piercing eyes of judgment. Jesus will give to each according to their works.

I want to walk a delicate balance here…on the one hand, we need not fear judgment, for Christ bore it all on the cross. There is not an ounce of judgment that we need to pay for ourselves. But on the other hand, God disciplines the ones that He loves. So, we certainly should test ourselves, praying that God would search our hearts and see if there be any wicked way within us.

Repent if we get out of balance.

V.24

The woman “Jezebel” claimed to be a prophetess, but she only espoused the deep things of Satan. This is a good reminder to approach all “new” revelations “from God” with a certain degree of discernment, for they may actually be from the enemy! Because they are referred to as the deep things of Satan, there may be a hint at pre-gnostic belief where practitioners sought a deeper level of knowledge. The truth is there is not another deeper level of truth or spirituality. Christ is the final and greatest word (see Heb.1:1-4).

There are those in Thyatira that have not learned (to know by experience) what “Jezebel” teaches. They have not participated and embraced her pagan practices. Those who have not embraced the teaching of this false prophetess will not face an additional burden (oppressive suffering). Chris will protect them from facing this hardship.

V.25-26

Jesus calls the ones who have not embraced “Jezebel’s” teaching to hold fast. This means “don’t waver.” A modern figure of speech would be “keep on keepin’ on” or for those of you who grew up with “Finding Nemo,” “Just keep swimmin’.” What are they to hold on to? Jesus says hold on to what you have. This would certainly include the basic and elementary teachings of the faith, particularly the gospel. But, given context, surely it means to pursue sanctification as well.

John couples until I come (v.25) with until the end (v.26). This could mean the final parousia, when Christ returns. However, the passage also has an immediate context of judgment (v.22-23). What is certain is that Jesus is calling His church to faithfully endure.

The term works appears for the third time in just a few verses. First, it correlates to Jezebel’s works. Then, it centers around works in general, the things for which man is judged. Finally, it is the work of Christ and the responsibility of the believer to do them which comes into view. There is certainly a picture of turning from false works in order to embrace the true faith as modeled by Christ. What do they involve? The primary commands would be a great place to start!

V.27-28

The one who conquers (perseveres and/or overcomes…essentially, “shows steadfast obedience”) shares in the rule of Christ the king. This rule is fleshed out in the OT in Ps.2 and Dan.7:9-14, were Christ’s kingdom extends over all. Man is first called to rule in Genesis, and part of that privilege was certainly injured (if not destroyed) in the fall. This rule is preliminarily fulfilled in the church, but it still awaits a final fulfillment. There is a beautiful promise in the rule/reign of Christ that the church shares in. In the grand scheme, “Babylon” has continued to rise and meet the DOTL throughout history. But, in the end, the church of Christ will finally rise up and replace the evil empires the world has known! Psalm 2 imagery figures throughout these verses where God’s Anointed rules over rebellious peoples (often named Babylon in Scripture). The rod of iron smashing earthen pots into pieces is reminiscent of the joy Ps.2 expresses because oof God’s victory over rebel rulers. Remember that the saints will join the victorious Christ in the last battle. Christ has received authority from the Father. This is an echo of Phil.2:9 and Ps.2:8.

V.29

In short, this is a prophetic call to listen and obey (mimics Rev.2:7). Daniel 12:3 speaks of eternal life and relates it to shining like stars. Numbers 24:27 uses the star possibly as a messianic symbol. Which symbol is the reader supposed to lean toward? Contextually it may seem that because of the believers’ share in the reign of the Messiah, the messianic symbolism is what’s intended.

As believers, we must continue to grow in the faith. However, "love" can never replace a concern for truth and holiness. If ever we find ourselves slipping up in either our adherence to truth -OR- our commitment to love, repentance is always the answer for our shortcomings.